Choosing what to write 2

It hasn't been all that long since I last wrote about choosing what to write about. But really, it's always worth talking about. No matter how long you write, you're never going to stop asking yourself "what do I write next?" It's a real issue, one that I find non-writers have a hard time understanding. It's what we do for a living, right? So why should it be hard to come up with new ideas? You've had ideas in the past that you haven't used, or haven't used fully. Why not just use one of those? Surely you have plenty of those!

Well, yeah. I do. But it's really not that easy. The thing about writing is that you can't just go out and do it. I mean, you have to. But you can't. It's hard to explain, and it doesn't make any sense, I know. But it's true. You have to be struck by a mood. You have to let the words carry you. So chances are, what each day is suited for as far as writing goes changes.

But the thing that I think a lot of writers forget is that there is inspiration all around you. It can be hard to see, I understand, but it's always there. Think about the things you talk about with your friends, the things you enjoy reading about, the things that you want to do. Then think about the things you hate to talk about, or read, or do. Both of those are important. Writing isn't just about finding the good things, as much as I wish it were. Because the good things wouldn't be nearly as good without the bad.

Because of this, writing can be an emotional roller coaster. You feel what your characters feel. You see what they see. Because, like it or not, they are you. And so you're biggest arsenal of writing prompts are your life.

I've said it many times throughout my life, and I'll say it again. If you are a writer, every thing is a valuable resource to you. No matter how much you may not enjoy something, it is worth learning. The fact that you don't enjoy it is even a valuable thing worth learning. The more you know, the more you can write about, and the more you understand your emotions towards the things that you learn, the more your characters will be able to react to things organically.

That last bit is especially important. Organic characters are hard to come across, and there's a reason for that. We all want our characters to be ideal. We want them to be what we wish we could be. And there's nothing wrong with that. But there's a good chance that in writing that, we will take it too far. We make our characters all powerful, completely unstoppable. I'm not saying you should make your characters lose the fight. In fact, I would argue that you should never do that. But you should make them struggle to do so.

No one goes through life without pain. If you think you can, you're either delusional, or too young. So why write a character that does that? It makes a reader bitter, because this character is so much better than they are. You may want them to wish they could be that character, and that's fine. But remember that if that's your goal, make it possible. It may take years of training, years of hardship, but it should be possible. And if a person would have to do that, shouldn't your character?

So learn. Learn what feels good and learn what feels good. Internalize that. Be willing to ask people for help, and in doing so, remember that sometimes your character will have to do the same. You can't make it entirely on your own, and neither can your character.

See the world. Experience it. And put it on paper. No matter what the inspiration, no matter what the story, you can make it work. Just keep yourself open to the possibilities, and you'll get there.